Timelapse shows Columbia Gorge wildfire burning explosively

Published 1:27 pm, Wednesday, September 6, 2017

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Dramatic timelapse video shows a raging wildfire take hold in the Columbia River Gorge area in Washington state, 52 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The video was shot from Monday night to Tuesday mnorning. (Sept. 6)

Media: Associated Press

A wildfire burning in the Columbia River Gorge grew to more than 30,000 acres by Wednesday morning, and more than 1,800 people had been forced out of their homes in nearby communities.

The Eagle Creek fire started Saturday along the Eagle Creek trail, southeast of Cascade Locks and about 50 miles east of Portland. Authorities have said they believe a 15-year-old boy caused the fire with possibly illegal fireworks.

Much of the fire's growth took place Monday night, when east winds howled up the gorge, fanning flames and pushing the fire 13 miles west. The fire burned so strong that it managed to spot across the Columbia River to an area near Archer Mountain in Washington.